The White House raised from 10% to 50% the levies to strategic products in what is interpreted as a gesture of political support to the former Brazilian president. They affect 36% of exports of the South American giant.
The New tariffs taxes by the government of Donald Trump To a wide range of Brazilian products, within the framework of a decision that multiplies the current rates: 10% to 50%, they entered into force on Wednesday. The measure was formalized by an executive order and is registered in a context of growing political tension between the US and Brazil, motivated by the trial against former president Jair Bolsonaro for the coup attempt.
According to preliminary figures cited by the Vice President of Brazil, Geraldo Alckmin, The tariff rise impacts approximately 36% of Brazilian exports Towards the US. Among the products achieved are strategic goods such as coffee, meat and sugar.
In the official document, the White House argued that the actions of the Brazilian government constitute a “Unusual and extraordinary threat” for the economynational security and foreign policy of the United States. In particular, he questioned the open judicial processes against Bolsonaro, accused of having tried to ignore the results of the 2022 presidential elections. The Trump administration considered that these procedures “lack objective justification” and described them as a form of political persecution.
Despite the substantial increase in tariffs, the US government granted more than 700 exemptions that exclude key products for Brazil, such as orange juice, fertilizers, civil aircraft and their parts, precious metals and cellulose paste. “The impact could have been greater,” said Valentina Sader, an analyst at Atlantic Council, who said that the Brazilian government is already evaluating subsidies for the most affected sectors, while accelerating the diversification of its export markets.
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New round of tariffs imposed by the US
The measure against Brazil is produced in parallel with a new round of tariff increases that will affect several economies, including The European Union and Taiwan. According to Pantheon Macroeconomics calculations, Washington’s decisions could raise the effective average rate of import tariffs in the US About 20%, a level that was not registered since the 1930s, According to data from the Budget Lab of the University of Yale.
Diplomatic tensions intensified this week after knowing the Decision of a Brazilian judge to impose house arrest to Bolsonaro for violating an order that prohibited him from using social networks during the legal process. The measure was adopted by the magistrate Alexandre de Moraeswho considered that the former president continued to spread messages through third parties. In response, the US State Department condemned the decision and said that “restringe the right of the ex -president to express himself publicly ”and” threatens democracy. “
In a pronouncement released in social networks, the United States Western Hemisphere Affairs Office declared: “Minister Alexandre de Moraes, already sanctioned by the United States for human rights violations, continues to use Brazilian institutions to silence the opposition. Let Bolsonaro speak!”
From Brazil, The reaction was prudent but firm. “Brazilian sovereignty is not under discussion,” Valentina Sader said again, while highlighting the position of President Lula da Silva, who has expressed a will to dialogue without accepting external interference in the country’s internal affairs.
Source: Ambito
